VICTORY felt like defeat for Liam Conroy, as plans for one of the biggest nights of his career were delivered a knockout blow.

Not even a clinical stoppage win could hide Conroy’s disappointment as he faced up to the reality that he will not be appearing on the undercard of the Anthony Crolla-Jorge Linares world title rematch.

A cut eye suffered during his light heavyweight bout against Yailton Neves on Saturday night brings with it a mandatory 28-day ban under British Boxing Board of Control rules. That means Conroy will not get lock to horns with Tomi Tatham at the Manchester Arena in three weeks’ time.

Conroy had taken less than two rounds to dispatch Neves at the Park Hall Hotel, near Chorley, but he still felt deflated, not elated, in his post-match interview.

“I got another win but it’s not the one I wanted. It’s not the one I wanted to be honest, it doesn’t feel like a win, it feels like a defeat,” he said.

Rewind just a couple of days and the 24-year-old had been looking forward to the exciting prospect of having a crack at the Northern Area Light Heavyweight title against Steve Cooper, and then going toe-to-toe with Tatham three weeks later.

The first blow to his plans came when Cooper was forced to withdraw from the title bout at short notice.

Thankfully, a late replacement was found in the shape of 22-year-old Neves, from Manchester, meaning Conroy would still get to lace up his gloves in anger for the first time since September.

But an accidental clash of heads in the opening stages of the six-round encounter left the WBC World Youth Silver and British Challenge Light Heavyweight champion with blood running down his face from a cut above his eye.

The former Barrow ABC amateur kept his focus to deliver a knockout blow in the second round, but despite earning the 12th victory of his 16-fight pro career, he was left to rue his bad luck.

Explaining what had caused the injury – which required stitches after the fight – Conroy said: “I came in at the same time as him, and he dipped down low. He had his chin tucked in, like he was supposed to, and the top of his head landed right in my eye.

“I got a cut and it means I’ve got a 28-day automatic ban so I miss my next fight by seven days.

“I got a fight in, my first one in six months. I got another run-out and I had a good camp preparing for two fights, so they are the positives.”

Describing the punch that left Neves wobbling on his feet and ended the contest in quick time, Conroy added: “It felt like an accident to be honest, I just caught him nicely.

“I have to thank the lad for coming in at the last minute and I want to thank everyone who came down, and also thank everyone who was planning to come and watch me in three weeks.”

On having to refocus after the disappointment of missing out on a Northern Area title shot, he said: “I think a couple of years ago it would have really put me off.

“I was gutted because I wasn’t fighting for a title and I wanted another belt – I’m getting fond of them now!

“But it’s just part of the game isn’t it? I just had to deal with it and was determined to look good and go into the next one feeling good. I felt fine.

“I had to do a couple of things differently. There was a weigh-in change and a weight change, and luckily the lad stepped in for me and I got support there and everyone had a good night.

“It’s just one of those things unfortunately.

“I got another win and a stoppage. It’s not the first setback I’ve had is it? In fact it’s not a setback. It’s not as if I’ve lost, it’s just disappointing to miss that next fight.”